Martial Art Competitions

Competitions specifically for the Chinese Martial Arts (Wushu or Kungfu) emerged in North America in the early 1990s. Previously, martial arts competitions catered to Japanese karate or Korean Taekwando.

Although wary of fostering too competitive a spirit within its student body, since its practices focus on personal development, The Tai Chi and Meditation Centre decided to send teams to national and international competitions for a limited time in order to test the efficacy of its instruction against the best in North America and beyond.

During this early period, the competitive level was very high as renowned masters entered their top disciples and students. Tai Chi and Meditation Centre’s (successful) competition results are summarized below.

Donna Oliver won Gold in Women’s Light weight stationary Push Hands and Women’s Lightweight moving Push Hands in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. In 1997, despite being a light weight competitor, she became the tournament’s Grand Champion by defeating the champions of all weight categories.

World Wushu Championships 1995

Shifu Andy James was part of the Canadian Masters’ Demonstration Team, demonstrating Pa Kua Chang. He also judged.

Pan American Wushu Championships 1998

Donna Oliver won Gold in Women’s Light weight stationary Push Hands and Women’s Light weight moving push hands. She also entered the heavy weight competitions and won Silver in both stationary and moving push hands.